Nigerian music legend 2Baba (formerly known as 2Face Idibia) has achieved a historic milestone after his classic hit African Queen was ranked the greatest Afrobeats song of all time by Billboard.

The recognition comes nearly two decades after the song’s release in 2004, a period in which African Queen has remained a timeless anthem of love, beauty, and African pride. The track, featured on 2Baba’s debut solo album Face2Face, is widely credited with breaking cultural barriers and laying the foundation for Afrobeats’ global rise.

In its editorial, Billboard described African Queen as a “timeless love anthem” that captured the hearts of millions and introduced international audiences to the richness of African music.

According to Billboard, the ten greatest Afrobeats songs are:

The list reflects the genre’s evolution spanning pioneers like Fela Kuti and Oliver De Coque, whose highlife and Afrobeat roots shaped the sound, to global crossover hits such as Rema’s Calm Down and Wizkid’s Essence, which continue to dominate international charts.

African Queen rose to fame in the early 2000s when Afrobeats was still carving its identity on the global stage. Its blend of Afro-pop and R&B not only captured the essence of African womanhood but also paved the way for artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido to achieve international success.

For many fans across the continent and beyond, the song remains more than just music—it is a cultural symbol of love, unity, and African pride.

Today, Afrobeats is one of the world’s fastest-growing genres, with African artists headlining major festivals, selling out stadiums, and topping international charts. Billboard’s list is both a celebration of the trailblazers who set the stage and the new wave of stars carrying the torch.

With this latest honor, 2Baba’s African Queen secures its place as a cornerstone in Afrobeats history, reminding fans why the genre continues to resonate across generations and cultures.